Cyberbullying is willful and repeated harm inflicted through the medium of electronic text. Cyberbullies use either a computer or a phone to send harassing email or text messages.
Cyberbullies are malicious aggresors who seek implicit or explicit pleasure or profit through the mistreatment of another individual.

To be defined as cyberbullying, mistreatment must involve harmful behavior of a repetitive nature.

• In a survey of 1,500 internet-using adolescents who reported their experiences with cyberbullying, almost 80% said that cyberbullying occurs online, while 32% of males and 36% of females reported experiencing cyberbullying.

• Almost 40% were disrespected, over 12% were threatened, and about 5% were scared for their safety.

• Parents must regularly monitor the online activities in which children are engaged.

• Parents should also encourage an open dialogue with their children regarding issues of safety and responsible internet use.

• Teachers must take care to supervise students as they use computers in the classroom and should consider incorporating discussions of issues related to cyber safety in their curriculum where appropriate.

• School liaison officers and law enforcement officials must investigate all instances of harassment-including electronic bullying-and hold responsible parties accountable.

Quick Tips

Assume that EVERYONE has access to your profile and will use the information to cause your harm.

Assume there are predators out there trying to find you based on the information you provide in your profile.

"Popular internet social networking sites such as myspace.com, facebook.com, xanga.com, personal blogs and web pages are prime places for cyberbullying."

Protect yourself!!

Related Online Behavior

Disclosing personal information

Young people are disclosing personal contact information and massive amounts of sensitive personal information in profiles, web pages, blogs, and through all forms of internet communications.

Internet addiction

This is defined as an excessive amount of time spent using the internet, resulting in lack of healthy engagement in other areas of life.

Suicide and self-harm communities

Depressed young people are interacting with sites and groups that provide information on suicide and self-harm methods (cutting, anorexia, fainting, etc.) and encouragement for such activities.

Hate group recruitment and gangs

Sites and groups that foster hatred against "others" are actively recruiting angry, disconnected youth who informally use the internet to coordinate troublesome and dangerous activities.

Risky sexual behavior

Young people are suing internet communities and matching services to make connections with others for sexual activities, ranging from online discussions about sex to "hook-ups," after which they might post or provide sexually suggestive or explicit pictures or videos.

Violent gaming

Violent gaming frequently involves sexual or biased-based victims where young people often engage in online simulation games, which reinforce the perception that all interactions online, including violent ones, are "just a game."

Cyberbullying Resources

Internet Safety Resources

Cyber Surf Island - a game that teaches important cyber safety tips and rules. It has levels in the game by grade starting at third grade up to eighth grade.

Think. U. Know - an internet safety program that has training for adults as well as a program for kids to learn about online safety. The section for kids has how-to guides, games and tips on online safety.

Digital Safety - a more general informational guide to internet safety but has specific sections on common safety concerns; it covers social media use, keeping kids safe online, cyberbullying and password security.